KOTA KINABALU: The Magistrate’s Court here yesterday ordered the Lahad Datu Umno assemblyman to undergo a four-day remand to facilitate investigation on the alleged embezzlement of rural infrastructure development funds in Sabah.
Magistrate Stephanie Sherron Abbie made the order on the Silam Umno Division head, 57, who was investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) under Section 17 (a) of the MACC Act 2009.
MACC deputy public prosecutor Rozanna Abdul Hadi who appeared together with Rustam Sanip and investigation officer Mohd Faliq Basarudin had applied for a seven-day remand, but counsels Edward Paul and Peter Lee, representing the assemblyman requested for lesser days.
The remand will take effect from today until this Saturday.
The politician, who is also the younger brother of Parti Warisan Sabah president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal, clad in a grey jacket and an orange MACC lock-up shirt, was in the courtroom from 10.40am till 11.44am.
Only family members were allowed to enter the courtroom while reporters had to wait outside.
The court which looked empty due to the Deepavali holiday yesterday, was in tight security by the police since morning, with only reporters having media cards and authorized persons allowed to go through the front gate.
Supporters of the politician were prohibited from entering the court and had to wait outside the court compound.